Nawazuddin Siddiqui, in a tweet on Friday, slammed reports claiming that he supports the ban on films “which hurt the audience or their sentiments.” His tweet arrived after a few media publications claimed that the actor, in an interview, spoke in favour of the demand for a ban on Sudipto Sen-directed The Kerala Story. Nawazuddin, in his statement, had not named the film nor discussed it in any way. “Please stop spreading false news just to get some views and hits, it's called cheap TRP - I never said and I would never want any film to be banned ever. Stop Banning Films. Stop Spreading Fake News!!! (sic),” tweeted the actor this morning.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui's actual statement was in reaction to Anurag Kashyap's cryptic tweet: “You agree with the film or not, be it propaganda, counter-propaganda, offensive or not, to ban it is just wrong.” Though the filmmaker had carefully avoided naming any specific movie, a section of the Internet speculated it was about The Kerala Story being banned in a few states because of its plot.
When asked if he agreed with Anurag Kashyap, Nawazuddin Siddiqui told News18, “I agree with him. But if a film or a novel is hurting someone, then that's wrong. We don't make films to hurt the audience or their sentiments… We make films to foster social harmony and love among people. It's our responsibility to propagate the same. Nothing in this world deserves to be banned. But if a film has the power to break people and social harmony, it's extremely wrong. Humein iss duniya ko jodna hai, todna nahi hai (we have to build this world, not break it).” He had not made any reference to The Kerala Story. Anurag Kashyap has directed Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Gangs Of Wasseypur films.
The Kerala Story has prompted a political debate since its release on May 5. It is about a Hindu woman who is living in Kerala. She is trafficked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) after being converted to Islam forcefully. The film stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani and Siddhi Idnani in the lead roles.
Meanwhile, Nawazuddin Siddiqui's film Jogira Sara Ra Ra has opened in theatres today. It is directed by Kushan Nandy and stars Neha Sharma opposite him.